Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2024
Observational StudyShort-term Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Administration in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Feasibility, Safety, and Outcome.
The practice of administration of intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy in outpatient settings (OPAT) is a low-cost alternative to in-patient admission and treatment. There is, however, limited evidence supporting OPAT management protocols for children. The primary objective of this study was to describe the use of pediatric emergency-based OPAT, as well as the safety of this practice. ⋯ Our results affirm that pediatric emergency-based OPAT is a safe yet effective practice in children with good clinical outcome. We believe that a reduction in admissions translates to better hospital resource utilization.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2024
A Pilot Study of a Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Procedural Curriculum for Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellows.
Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellows are expected to perform high-risk procedures across a wide range of patient age, size, and physiology including procedures that are no longer required during pediatric residency training. Examples include central venous catheter (CVC) placement, endotracheal intubation of children and adolescents, and tube thoracostomy placement. Simulation-based mastery learning has demonstrated decreased patient morbidity. In this study, we describe implementation of a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) procedural curriculum for PEM fellows. ⋯ All participating PEM fellows demonstrated competency after training on four procedures associated with iatrogenic injuries. Using an SBML framework is a feasible method to teach procedural skills to PEM fellows, allowing them to demonstrate objective measures of competency in the simulation laboratory.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2024
The Impact of Legalizing Recreational Cannabis on the Children of a Neighboring State.
In the United States, cannabis is legal for adult recreational use in 24 states and Washington, DC. Unintentional pediatric cannabis exposures have increased in many states following legalization.We evaluated the relationship between recreational cannabis legalization and the rates of unintentional pediatric exposures in a neighboring state that had not undergone legalization. ⋯ The number, severity, and type of pediatric cannabis exposures in New Mexico changed after neighboring recreational cannabis legalization. States neighboring those undergoing cannabis legalization should be prepared to respond to increased acute exposures in children.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2024
Streamlining Telecommunications Center and Interfacility Patient Throughput to a Pediatric Emergency Department by Utilizing an Electronic Handoff: A Quality Improvement Initiative.
Effective handoffs are critical for patient safety and high-quality care. The pediatric emergency department serves as the initial reception for patients where optimal communication is crucial. The complexities of interfacility handoffs can result in information loss due to lack of standardization. The aim of our project was a 50% reduction in monthly calls routed through the communication center from 157 to 78, for interfacility transfers to the emergency department from outpatient sites within our organization over a 1-year period, through utilization of an electronic handoff activity. ⋯ Our initiative facilitated the safe and efficient transfer of patients and streamlined workflows without sacrificing quality of patient care. Our telecommunications center has been freed up for other tasks with fewer interruptions during patient throughput. Next steps will analyze the encounters of transferred patients to further optimize patient flow at our organization.